Farewell Oliver Giroud: Player heading to Marseille

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Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is being linked with a return to Ligue 1, with latest reports suggesting Marseille could make an approach just before deadline day.

According to Le 10 Sport, Marseille will see how many minutes Giroud gets at the start of the season before looking to tempt him back to France. After the 30-year-old spent 2016/17 largely on the bench, L’OM are hopeful of procuring his signature if Giroud is still not commanding a starting place.

They made the Arsenal centre-forward a priority ahead of the new season and will have been boosted by the Gunners signing former Alexandre Lacazette this summer. Giroud has admitted being unsure about his future at the Emirates Stadium after the former Lyon man was brought in, something Marseille are hoping to capitalise upon.

Despite being used as an impact player, Giroud enjoyed a prolific season under Arsene Wenger, contributing 20 goals in 17 starts in all competitions. The Frenchman has been linked with the likes of Everton and West Ham United as a result of his impressive scoring record in England, but Arsenal have shown no desire to sell him.

Giroud may not edge Lacazette out of the starting lineup this coming season, but he still has a role in the Arsenal side regardless.